John Elway strong candidate for Executive of the Year!

[Bronco Rob]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—As the Broncos keep winning, their candidates for major awards add up.

Peyton Manning is in the mix for NFL offensive player of the year and comeback player of the year. Von Miller could end up grappling with Houston's J.J. Watt for defensive player of the year. And John Elway's quick rebuilding of a depth-shy, dysfunctional franchise after five years of steady decline could put him on track for Sporting News Executive of the Year honors.

Whether Elway wins the award or not, his finest attribute as the team's executive vice president of football operations is his openness to advice from others around the building—including Manning.

"You keep in touch with guys, you hear about guys, so you kind of mention that to (personnel director Matt) Russell and John," said Manning, citing safety Jim Leonhard and linebacker Keith Brooking as examples of players whose names he passed upstairs that have helped bolster the Broncos' depth.

Listening to others around the organization has been crucial for Elway, who took their advice on a pair of in-season pickups off the scrap heap: center Dan Koppen and returner Trindon Holliday. Holliday, a waiver claim from Houston, has run back a punt and kickoff for touchdowns in the last two games. He maes the Broncos a legitimate scoring threat in all three phases.

Koppen, who was recommended by offensive line coach Dave Magazu, might be nothing short of a season saver; he was picked up to provide depth behind J.D. Walton but was forced into duty after Walton fractured his ankle In Week 4.

The offensive line has steadily improved with Koppen, whose nine years with the Patriots' up-tempo, Tom Brady-led offense helped make his transition to the Broncos and Manning an easy one.





http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/stor...medium=twitter

[baja]

I love stories like this that give some real insight into the workings of the team, in this case John Elway. The quality pointed out in the above article is going to make John a great GM president as long as he keeps listening and making the right call on the information. Priceless value in a GM and the antithesis of Mike "he hasn't been coached by me" Shanahan

[loborugger]

One of the best GMs in the business is Ozzie Newsome in B-more. A HOF player who never coached. Hopefully, Elway can follow in his footsteps.

[Swedish Extrovert]

Originally Posted by loborugger

One of the best GMs in the business is Ozzie Newsome in B-more. A HOF player who never coached. Hopefully, Elway can follow in his footsteps.

Elway is a smart dude, too. I wonder what Peyton's post-football plans will be. Probably a similar role to Elway's, only in Indy. Or pizza... there's always pizza.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by loborugger

One of the best GMs in the business is Ozzie Newsome in B-more. A HOF player who never coached. Hopefully, Elway can follow in his footsteps.

Ozzie sort of let the defense get old though.

[cutthemdown]

Originally Posted by Mightysmurf

Elway is a smart dude, too. I wonder what Peyton's post-football plans will be. Probably a similar role to Elway's, only in Indy. Or pizza... there's always pizza.

Straight to TV IMO. Manning will be on TV talking football.

[theAPAOps5]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

Straight to TV IMO. Manning will be on TV talking football.

No he won't. Elites don't go to TV. He will be a front office/co-owner with Elway.

[baja]

Manning would make an awesome HC

[Bronco Boy]

Originally Posted by theAPAOps5

No he won't. Elites don't go to TV. He will be a front office/co-owner with Elway.

Steve Young disagrees.

[lonestar]

Originally Posted by Bronco Rob

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.—As the Broncos keep winning, their candidates for major awards add up.

Peyton Manning is in the mix for NFL offensive player of the year and comeback player of the year. Von Miller could end up grappling with Houston's J.J. Watt for defensive player of the year. And John Elway's quick rebuilding of a depth-shy, dysfunctional franchise after five years of steady decline could put him on track for Sporting News Executive of the Year honors.

Whether Elway wins the award or not, his finest attribute as the team's executive vice president of football operations is his openness to advice from others around the building—including Manning.

"You keep in touch with guys, you hear about guys, so you kind of mention that to (personnel director Matt) Russell and John," said Manning, citing safety Jim Leonhard and linebacker Keith Brooking as examples of players whose names he passed upstairs that have helped bolster the Broncos' depth.

Listening to others around the organization has been crucial for Elway, who took their advice on a pair of in-season pickups off the scrap heap: center Dan Koppen and returner Trindon Holliday. Holliday, a waiver claim from Houston, has run back a punt and kickoff for touchdowns in the last two games. He maes the Broncos a legitimate scoring threat in all three phases.

Koppen, who was recommended by offensive line coach Dave Magazu, might be nothing short of a season saver; he was picked up to provide depth behind J.D. Walton but was forced into duty after Walton fractured his ankle In Week 4.

The offensive line has steadily improved with Koppen, whose nine years with the Patriots' up-tempo, Tom Brady-led offense helped make his transition to the Broncos and Manning an easy one.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/nfl/stor...medium=twitter

great article.. John deserves any and all props..

I guess someone else is not buying that Josh was the only problem with the personnel dept..

[TheReverend]

* Deserved

Easily

[TheReverend]

Originally Posted by Bronco Boy

Steve Young disagrees.

I would've volunteered Marino before Young, but valid still.

[lonestar]

Originally Posted by baja

I love stories like this that give some real insight into the workings of the team, in this case John Elway. The quality pointed out in the above article is going to make John a great GM president as long as he keeps listening and making the right call on the information. Priceless value in a GM and the antithesis of Mike "he hasn't been coached by me" Shanahan

I just about choked when I originally read that info.. I knew mikey had an ego but that was even over the top..

Originally Posted by loborugger

One of the best GMs in the business is Ozzie Newsome in B-more. A HOF player who never coached. Hopefully, Elway can follow in his footsteps.

Yes Ozzie is a class act and has put together a really great team..

Lets hope he is smart enough to have kiddies in the wings to take over for some of the dinosaurs on the roster..


I can only hope that John follows his lead and not others from our history..

[Bob's your Information Minister]

Suck on that, Pioli.

[ozomulsion]

I'm still Very disappointed that he traded down instead of drafting Doug Martin, but nobody is perfect. I'm very proud of John, nonetheless.

[Inkana7]

Ugh. Doug Martin is the new Ed Reeeeeeeeeeed. Derek Wolfe has been an incredibly important part of our defense, guys.

[loborugger]

Originally Posted by cutthemdown

Ozzie sort of let the defense get old though.

1. That defense dominated for over a decade.
2. HOF players don't grow on trees.
3. The offense is picking up where the defense is sliding.
4. The Ravens are 7 & 2, and the #2 seed in the AFC, despite all the injuries.

[Mediator12]

Troy Aikman is the only NFL commentator I listen to on live TV. Everybody else is on MUTE. So, Peyton could be that guy for sure or go help Dungy on NBC because Rodney Harrison sucks!

As for Elway, the only other serious candidate is INDY's Ryan Grigson. He has taken the same type of mess Bill Polian left and turned this Colts team into a legit Playoff team, not contender yet though. INDY has done it both in youth and FA as well, but mostly one of the best Draft classes they have ever had. Only I draft better

[ozomulsion]

Originally Posted by Inkana7

Ugh. Doug Martin is the new Ed Reeeeeeeeeeed. Derek Wolfe has been an incredibly important part of our defense, guys.

Wolfe has been incredibly important and was a great pick. Most of us on here were in agreement that one of the young RBs would be a good selection as we were and still are in need of a good young RB. Just think if we had Doug Martin.

[oubronco]

Originally Posted by Inkana7

Ugh. Doug Martin is the new Ed Reeeeeeeeeeed. Derek Wolfe has been an incredibly important part of our defense, guys.

Would've been nice to have both

[ludo21]

Originally Posted by ozomulsion

Wolfe has been incredibly important and was a great pick. Most of us on here were in agreement that one of the young RBs would be a good selection as we were and still are in need of a good young RB. Just think if we had Doug Martin.

just need a rb and lb right

[Tombstone RJ]

Elway should get it for one simple reason: Plan A.

[Agamemnon]

Originally Posted by TheReverend

I would've volunteered Marino before Young, but valid still.

Don't forget about Terry Bradshaw.

[HorseHead]

People are getting really hung on Martin...give Hillman a chance for chrissake...he's like 12, he's still growing...

[baja]

Different styles

Martin is beating and deserves the praise